Van der Walt wins Mandela golf event
South Africa's Dawie Van der Walt fired a four under 66 during the third and final round to win the Nelson Mandela Championship by two shots at the rain affected EPGA event on Saturday.
The 30-year-old finished the shortened tournament on 15 under par to finish ahead of Englishman Matthew Baldwin and Spaniard Jorge Campillo as he picked up his second European title at the saturated Mount Edgecombe golf club.
"It's making you kind of part of history, winning the Nelson Mandela at this time when it's sad for everyone and everyone's mourning and tomorrow's the big day," Van der Walt said, wearing a black ribbon on his cap as mark of respect for the former president who will be buried on Sunday.
"It obviously means a lot and can be something that I can keep close to my heart forever."
Frenchman Romain Wattel was alone in fourth three shots back, while South African Oliver Bekker was a further stroke back to complete the top five.
Overnight leader Daniel Brooks of England blew a three shot lead as he ballooned to a six over score of 76 to slide down the leaderboard and a joint 11th place finish.
The tournament was reduced to 54 holes after heavy rain washed out the first day's play as the European Tour remains in South Africa and heads to the Durban Open which begins on Thursday.
